Why does the radiologic technologist place lead shielding between the image receptor and the patient’s forearm?

The rationale for placing lead shielding between the image receptor and the patient’s forearm is fundamentally about providing radiation protection. Lead shielding is designed to absorb and block scatter radiation, which helps minimize the patient's overall exposure to radiation during the imaging process. This is particularly important in medical imaging, where unnecessary radiation exposure should always be avoided to ensure patient safety.

In addition to protecting the patient, lead shielding also contributes to reducing the amount of scatter radiation that reaches the image receptor, which can improve the quality of the image. However, the primary purpose is to safeguard the patient’s health by limiting their exposure to ionizing radiation, thereby adhering to the principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). This practice is essential in ensuring that while imaging is conducted, it does not unnecessarily contribute to the patient's cumulative radiation dose.